2027 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Master’s Degree Schools
[Rhetoric & Composition](/majors/english-language-literature/writing-studies/rhetoric-and-composition/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for rhetoric & composition students.
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2027 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in rhetoric & composition, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools
For return on investment in rhetoric & composition, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $53,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in rhetoric & composition, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,676 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $26,282. Set against $22,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #5 place for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,999 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $31,239. Set against $13,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University landed the #6 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $49,716. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama earned the #8 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $24,291. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $41,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,255. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #10 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $21,645. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $39,899 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #11 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $16,417 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,417 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Students borrow a median of $14,363 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $33,999. Set against $14,363 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #13 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,765 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $37,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #14 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $35,318 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #15 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $47,377. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University landed the #16 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,496. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Set against $23,496 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #17 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $21,323 in student loans. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $25,750. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $33,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama landed the #19 spot for rhetoric & composition value this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $27,000. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $46,045. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #21 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,120 in tuition and fees. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $22,091 in student loans. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Sewanee The University Of The South generally make around $36,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford earned the #22 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $23,750. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $49,700. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Liberty University earned the #23 position for value in rhetoric & composition this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for rhetoric & composition graduates is $27,414. Early-career rhetoric & composition graduates make about $35,180. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University placed #24 among the best values for rhetoric & composition. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Rhetoric & Composition graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Rhetoric & Composition graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $49,334 early in their careers. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value rhetoric & composition schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the rhetoric & composition program here. Soon after graduation, rhetoric & composition degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $53,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Rhetoric & Composition Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for rhetoric & composition this year:
Other Rhetoric & Composition Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Rhetoric & Composition rankings across degree levels:
View All Rhetoric & Composition Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
